2.3.b

Context Clues

Context Clues: Sometimes we read a word we do not know. The words around it can help us. These words are called context clues. A context clue is a hint. It helps us find out what a new word means.

How to Use Context Clues
1. Find the new word.
2. Read the whole sentence. Look for clues in it.
3. No clue yet? Read the sentences that come before and after it.
4. Tell what the word means.
5. Read the sentence again with that meaning. Check that it fits the clues.

Kinds of Clues
The meaning is told.
The pup, or baby dog, ran to me. Pup means baby dog.

A word means the same. This is a synonym.
The bug was tiny. It was so small! Tiny means small.

A word means the opposite. This is an antonym.
The snail was slow, but the rabbit was swift. Swift means fast.

Examples are given.
We saw insects, like ants and bees. Ants and bees are insects.

Details tell more.
Sam was famished. He ate three bowls of soup! Famished means very hungry.

Example:

1. The new word is soaked.

2. Look for clues in the same sentence. Mia walked home in the rain with no coat.

3. What happens when we walk in the rain with no coat? We get very wet.

4. Soaked means very wet. Mia was very wet because she walked in the rain. The meaning fits the clues.

Example:

1. The new word is curious. Its sentence does not tell what it means.

2. Read the next sentences. The kitten sniffed every box. It peeked into every bag.

3. Why would a kitten do that? It wants to find out what is inside.

4. Curious means wanting to find out about things. The clues were in the next sentences.

Next, we will use context clues to read a story about Trevor and Trina.

Context Clues

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS): 2.3.b

use context within and beyond a sentence to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words;

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